News

Added the new Six Moon Designs Community section of the website.

Finally got around to a upgrade of the website with new images. We've reworked the product pages to make them easier to read.

Practical Backpacking™ Podcast of Six Moon Designs on Practical Backpacking. Drop in and have a listen as Bernie and I talk about the history of Six Moon Designs and some of our gear.

Support for Credit Card payments via Visa and Master Card.

Introducing two new shelters the Lunar Duo and the ultralight Wild Oasis.

For couples wanting the best shelter with a maximum of room, ventilation and ease of use, no tent matches the new Lunar Duo. It's sized large enough for 4 adults to sit up comfortably and play a game of cards while waiting out a storm. It's dual vestibules and dual doors provide significant storage and easy entrance or exit.

For the minimalist, the new Wild Oasis provides enough room to shelter a storm with great bug protection all for 16 ounces in weight.

We've also revamped our entire pack line for the 2007. The Starlite and Comet pack are now available with a new harness system. The new system allows for a best fit for a wider range of body styles. Plus we now offer Hip Belts with pockets for quick access to cameras, GPS, etc.

The Essence pack has been completely reworked. It now features a removable hip belt, multiple torso sizes. We've also switched to the tougher Dyneema fabric for durability. The panel loading has been enhanced to ease entry and closes with waterproof zippers for excellent rain protection.

Introducing our new WickedLite Series of gear. This gear is for ultralight hikers seeking to push their limits, while maintaining some level of comfort and security. We're introducing the new Essence Pack which provides an amazing number of features and capabilities for minimal weight.

Following in March will be our Gatewood Cape. Finally, a Rain Gear/Shelter combo that won't leave you wet and cold in a storm.

Our Lunar Solo Enhanced Tent won the prestigious BackpackingLight 2005 Lightitude Award for the Best Solo Shelter. With 174 items of gear nominated in various categories (including both the Lunar Solo Enhanced and Europa 05 Shelters along with both the Starlite and Comet Packs), only 8 products were awarded the 2005 Lightitude Award.

We're proud to stand in such good company.

• Introduced the Comet Ultralight Pack. A classic internal pack re forged for ultralight hiking.
• Introduced the Lunar Solo Enhanced Tent with numerous enhancements to the original version.
• Introduced the Europa 05 Tent which is a complete makeover of our Europa II with new capabilities.

• Introduced the Starlite '05 Ultralight Pack enhances the Starlite with new Dyneema Gridstop fabric and many user requested enhancements.

• Introduced the Lunar Solo to start shipping this month.
• Introduced the 210 Denier 1/4" Coated Dyneema Gridstop Fabric available now.
• Introduced the Trade Up Program. This unique program allows you to trade up your old Six Moon Designs gear for new versions and take advantage of significant price savings.

• Introduced the Starlite Pack to start shipping in February.
• Introduced the Europa II Vestibule to start shipping in February.
• Added a Make Your Own Gear section and added the new Meteor Bivy as the first project.
• We've overhauled the Web site with a new shopping cart. Our new cart has numerous features that will improve your shopping experience. You are now able to:
  • Review your past orders
  • Join a mailing list to get new product notifications
  • Read and write reviews of your favorite Six Moon Designs products
  • Take advantage of special discount coupons we'll issue from time to time

• Backpackinglight.com - In the article Frameless Backpacks: Engineering Analysis of the Load Carrying Performance of Selected Lightweight Packs - Backpacking light compares a number of the top frameless packs, including Granite Gear Virga, GoLite Jam, Six Moon Designs Moonlight, Wild Things AT, Equinox Katahdin, GoLite Dawn and Osprey Aether. According to the article "The Moonlight performed significantly better than all other frameless packs in this study."

"The suspension system of the Six Moon Designs Moonlight appears to offer substantial increases in frameless backpack load carrying performance relative to packs that employ the rolled cylinder foam pad technique, with a load carrying capacity that was 66% higher than the average load carrying capacity (20.4 lbs, n = 7) of all packs (excluding the [McHale] Subpop) in this study. "

• Coming Soon - January '04 - A new pack based upon the core features of the Moonlite and a lot of user feedback.
• Coming Soon - February '04 - An optional Vestibule for the Europa II. This vestibule is removable so you can use it as conditions require. It provides additional storm protection, privacy and gear protection.

October, 2003

• NEW - Europa II 2004 Models are now in stock. We've added a new front awning to add more protection for the screen door when it's left open during rain storms.
• Sale on Remaining 2003 Europa II Models - We've still got a few of the 2003 Europa II's left in stock we're selling at discounts. Call or email us for details.
• We've sent some Europa II tents off to Backpack Gear Test for review short and long term reviews. Check there for upcoming reviews.

April 17, 2003

• Gray Europa's found in inventory. We found a couple of Gray Europa tents when sorting out or stock. If you want one, write "Gray Tent" in the comment box on your order form.
• Europa II's are now in stock and shipping.
• We have a few of the Europa II tents with floors made using the heavier 1.9 oz Silicone nylon used on the original Europa tents. The price for both tents is the same. If you're interested in the heavier floor, please contact us.
• NEW - Europa II Footprint is now being offered. This footprint is made from our hard surface Tyvek and is especially cut for the Europa II Tent.
• NEW - International Orders are now being accepted. The order form has been modified so you can now place an international order. Please read our Orders page for restrictions.
• We've sent some Moonlite packs off to Backpack Gear Test for review short and long term reviews. Check there for upcoming reviews.

April 4, 2003

Production of the new Europa II is on track and first shipments of tents is scheduled for April 10.

March 1, 2003

We began shipping our first Moonlite packs.

February 15, 2003

• The redesigned Web site is up and running with online ordering.
• We'll be picking up and shipping out our first batch of Moonlite Packs this week. Two weeks ahead of schedule.
• We're starting the manufacturing process of the Europa II. With first tents expected to arrive the first of April.
• We've ordered two new types of Tyvek for use as ground cloths. Including a new Aluminized Tyvek that combines some reflective characteristics with Tyvek's waterproof / breathable properties.